Horse Show Preparation: Grooming Your Horse For Competition

Showing calls for your horse to be physically fit, have the correct tack, and be ready for his or her class. For your equine friend as well as you, a well-prepared horse will greatly simplify the experience. Early on and keep to it for the show season, start a grooming schedule. This will help you not to become overwhelmed the weekend before the performance.

Manes and tails

On the day of the show, organising and doing everything you can to ready yourself and your horse will assist to reduce tension. This includes working with your horse, getting ready all the documentation required for the show, creating a checklist to help you remember what you need to bring and planning a neat morning schedule to guarantee you don’s forget nothing. Using a specialised shampoo and maybe a whitening agent (if your horse is white), wash her one day or two before the show. This will guarantee on the day of the performance they are spotless, shining, and tangle free. Then, either braiding or banding, plait their mane and tail inside the guidelines of their discipline. Depending on their breed, some horses may be docked—that is, have their natural tail removed either partially or totally. Not advised for any young horses or ponies, this is a contentious practice. Remember also to pack a little wipe and a hair brush so that, should their mouth become dirty, you may quickly clean it!

Tongue

Another crucial element in a great performance is a clean tongue. Concentrating on the body rather than legs or face, make sure your horse is freshly cleaned and gently cleansed with a rubber curry before a competition. After a thorough rinse, lightly brush. Brushing the mane and tail with a detangler is also an excellent opportunity to then gently comb them out. If you choose to braid the mane, do it the night before to let your horse and yourself be stress-free on show day. If you neglect to properly groom your horse before a competition, the Judge will see you as not paying close attention to the specifics. Those small elements make all the difference between champions and finalists; they are found in preparation. This is why it's crucial to make a pre-show checklist so none gets overlooked. This is a thorough list of the horse's tack together with all required rider gear and documentation.

Hoves

Regarding show preparation, a crucial first step is making sure your horse's hooves are cleanly presented and conditioned. If you choose, you can use hoof oil; but, it is advisable not to start applying this until immediately before the performance. Hoof oil usually gathers dust and grime, hence it can look messier than if the hooves of your horse are not lubricated. Brushing your horse's tail and mane before show day will help them to be neat and tangle-free. If you intend to braide the tail and add some glitter, which will need a lot of brushing and detangler to look amazing, this is particularly crucial. Few days before the competition, give your horse any necessary touch-up clipping—such as on the muzzle, ears, or bridle route. Plait the mane (traditionally or in continental manner) the day before the event as well. It will keep the hair looking good and tidy all through the day.

Face

In the show ring, a horse will look better with a clean face. Wipe the muzzle and eyes with a moist cloth or sponge, looking for dirt or any evidence of irritation. Wipe around the ears and dock also. Finally, bleaching white socks or portions of your horse's coat will make them look neat and fresh in the ring. To help these areas stay from becoming dusty or grass stained in between lessons, you can also powder them. Early arrival at the show grounds will enable enough time to unload your horse, calm him in his stall, familiarise yourself with the location of the main show office, warm up pen and arenas. This will assist your horse and you relax lessening tension. See a professional if you struggle to load your horse. On the day of the competition, both of you will be less nervous if your horse loads peacefully and readily.